Outdoor activity accessory hand wear

ABSTRACT

An outdoor activity glove is detailed that includes a hand covering defining a volume adapted to receive a human hand therein. The instrument attachment module is secured to the exterior surface of the hand covering by way of a fastener. The instrument attachment module includes a side view mirror and at least one additional accessory of a clock, a compass, a light and a thermometer. A commercial kit is intended to retrofit a conventional hand covering. The commercial kit includes an instrument attachment module including a side view mirror and at least one recess adapted to receive an accessory such as a clock, compass, storage compartment, light, or a thermometer. A fastener is provided for securing the instrument attachment module to the exterior surface of a conventional hand covering.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/494,905 filed Aug. 13, 2003, which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to hand wear, and in particular to a glove having accessories selectively affixed thereto, the accessories being useful for outdoor recreational activities.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many outdoor recreational activities such as snowmobiling, biking, skiing and rock climbing require the unfettered and near constant use of an individual's hands. While engaged in outdoor activities such as these, releasing the grip of a hand and averting attention to look back, consult a watch, compass, or like device is potentially a dangerous event. While the prior art has contemplated the attachment of a rearview mirror to the back of a motorcycle or snowmobile glove, these devices have often suffered an elevated profile that tended to increase wind drag and hand strain. Additionally, one engaged in outdoor activities most often has need for an accessory beyond a mirror. Thus, there exists a need for hand wear including an accessory module selectively attachable thereto.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An outdoor activity glove is detailed that includes a hand covering defining a volume adapted to receive a human hand therein. The instrument attachment module is secured to the exterior surface of the hand covering by way of a fastener. The instrument attachment module includes a side view mirror and at least one additional accessory of a clock, a compass, a light and a thermometer.

A commercial kit is intended to retrofit a conventional hand covering. The commercial kit includes an instrument attachment module including a side view mirror and at least one recess adapted to receive an accessory such as a clock, compass, storage compartment, light, or a thermometer. A fastener is provided for securing the instrument attachment module to the exterior surface of a conventional hand covering.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an inventive piece of hand wear; and

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the inventive piece of hand wear depicted in FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention has utility as an article of outdoor activity hand wear. Through the attachment of an accessory module to the back of an article of inventive hand wear, a user is able to view behind them, check time, and various sensor data, all without releasing an object being gripped through an inventive article of hand wear. Sensors operative within an inventive accessory module illustratively include: a clock, compass, barometer, light, thermometer, and barometer.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2 wherein like numerals indicate like parts, an instrument attachment module 10 is secured to the back portion 12 of the outermost layer of a hand covering in the form of a glove 14. While the hand covering in reference to the figures is depicted as a glove, it is appreciated that a mitten, wrist guard, or martingale are equally operative herein. The glove 14 is composed of any suitable flexible material used for such purposes, whether or not overlying padding or insulation. Operative glove materials illustratively include leather, fabric, and mesh. The instrument attachment module 10 includes a housing 16 adapted to receive a mirror 18 and at least one other accessory unit 20. The housing 16 includes a mirror recess 22 and at least one accessory unit recess 24. The housing 16 is readily formed of any material conventional to the art, such materials operative herein illustratively including metal, plastic, elastomers, and leather. Preferably, the housing 16 is formed from an impact-resistant polymer. The mirror 18 is formed of any conventional mirror material including glass and plastic. Preferably, a mirror used in an inventive glove is formed of an impact-resistant polymer or glass. It is appreciated that the mirror 18 can have a variety of configurations illustratively including planar, concave, convex, and also including surface mounted accessories such as a prism and a magnifying lens. Optionally, an anti-fog coating is applied to the mirror face. A mirror 18 is held in the housing 16 through a variety of conventional means illustratively including friction fit, a pressure adhesive, and retaining brackets mounted in the housing. Likewise, an accessory unit 20 is retained in the housing 16 by the same techniques as used to retain mirror 18 within the housing 16.

An accessory unit 20 includes an accessory, the accessory illustratively including a clock, compass, light, thermometer and barometer. The accessory unit 20 includes all of the components necessary for the functioning of the accessory. As shown in FIG. 2, a compass 26 inserts into accessory unit 20 which in turn seats within receptacle portion 24. A button or other type of battery 28 inserts into the back face 30 of accessory unit 32. A battery compartment cover 34 retains the battery 28 within the accessory unit 32. Inversion of the accessory unit 32 and insertion into housing receptacle 36 exposes a digital clock 40.

The housing 16 has a back surface 42. According to the present invention, the instrument attachment module 10 is selectively removable from the glove 14. Fasteners conventional to the art are operative herein and illustratively include snaps, hook-and-loop fasteners, a zipper, and a transparent pocket incorporated into the glove, the pocket capable of receiving the instrument attachment module 10. Preferably, the instrument attachment module 10 is secured to the back 12 of glove 14 with a hook-and-loop fastener similar to the product sold under the VELCRO trademark. As shown in FIG. 2, the back surface 42 of the housing 16 is adhered to one portion of hook-and-loop fastener 44. Preferably, the first portion of hook-and-loop fastener 44 is cut to a shape that follows the basic footprint of the housing 16. A complementary portion of hook-and-loop fastener 46 is secured to the back 12 of the glove 14. Preferably, the shape of the complementary hook-and-loop portion 46 is similar to that of the first hook-and-loop portion 44. More preferably, the complementary hook-and-loop portion 46 is affixed to the back 12 of the glove 14 so that the mirror 18 is positioned at any convenient location on the relative flat part of the back portion 12 of the glove 14. While in the preferred embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the instrument attachment module has a rectangular or oval shaped mirror, it is appreciated that other mirror shapes are also operative herein as well as other configurations of mirror and accessory units. Additionally, it is appreciated that the type of glove and outdoor activity during which it is used may affect the choice of mirror shape and properties. For example, the rear view requirements while bicycling or snowmobiling are appreciated to be different than those associated with rock climbing or skiing.

Preferably, the instrument attachment module 10 is configured into four quadrants, two of which are encompassed by a mirror and the other two quadrants are suitable for the inclusion of other accessories. It is appreciated that the accessory units 20 and 32 may be supplied permanently affixed to the housing 16 or alternatively, a kit is provided containing multiple accessories such as a clock, compass, light, thermometer, barometer and storage compartment that are selectively engaged into an accessory unit of an inventive outdoor activity glove so as to suit the needs of a particular user setting. Such a kit would include either a plurality of accessories or accessory units adapted to selectively seat within the housing 16 and thereby afford a user a customizable instrument attachment module configuration.

One skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the present invention is amenable to changes or modifications that are nonetheless encompassed within the spirit of the invention as defined by the scope of the appended claims. The foregoing description is illustrative of particular embodiments of the invention, but is not meant to be a limitation upon the practice thereof. The following claims, including all equivalents thereof, are intended to define the scope of the invention. 

1. An outdoor activity hand wear comprising: a hand covering having an interior volume adapted to receive a human hand and an exterior surface; an instrument attachment module comprising a side view mirror and at least one accessory selected from the group consisting of: a clock, a compass, a light, and a thermometer; and a fastener for selectively securing said instrument attachment module to the exterior surface of said hand covering.
 2. The hand wear of claim 1 wherein the exterior surface is a back surface portion.
 3. The hand wear of claim 1 wherein the at least one accessory is said clock.
 4. The hand wear of claim 1 wherein the at least one accessory is said compass.
 5. The hand wear of claim 1 wherein the at least one accessory is said light.
 6. The hand wear of claim 1 wherein the at least one accessory is said thermometer.
 7. The hand wear of claim 1 wherein said instrument attachment module comprises said side view mirror and two of said accessory.
 8. The hand wear of claim 7 wherein said two accessories are a clock and a compass.
 9. The hand wear of claim 7 wherein said two accessories are said compass and said storage compartment.
 10. The hand wear of claim 1 wherein said fastener is a hook-and-loop fastener.
 11. The hand wear of claim 1 wherein the face is configured into four quadrants.
 12. The hand wear of claim 11 wherein said side view mirror spans two quadrants.
 13. The hand wear of claim 1 wherein said mirror is convex.
 14. The hand wear of claim 1 wherein said module is formed of an impact-resistant polymer.
 15. A commercial kit comprising: an instrument attachment module comprising a side view mirror and at least one recess adapted to receive an accessory selected from the group consisting of: a clock, a compass, a storage compartment, a light and a thermometer; and a fastener for selectively securing said instrument attachment module to an exterior surface of a hand covering.
 16. The kit of claim 15 further comprising a plurality of said accessory, each of said plurality of said accessory adapted to secure within said module.
 17. The kit of claim 15 further comprising said hand covering.
 18. The kit of claim 15 wherein said fastener is a hook-and-loop fastener comprising a first portion and a complementary second portion wherein the first portion is adhesively secured to said module and the second complementary portion is secured to an exterior hand covering surface. 